All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right

The shape and flag ratio of the Vietnamese flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )

The left half of the flag ( viewer's left side ) is called the Hoist

The upper left quarter of the flag is called the Canton

The right half of the flag is called the Fly

The Meaning & History of the Vietnamese Flag

Ho Chi Minh proclaimed the independence of Vietnam in September 1945 when the flag of communist Vietnam was adopted

The blood red color of the background indicates a communist flag

Each point of the yellow star represents one of the five protectorates of the Union of French Indochina - Tonkin, Annam, Cochinchina, Cambodia, and Laos

Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?

The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles

Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side

The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology

Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!

Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz

Vietnamese Flag Etiquette

Vietnamese Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly

Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Vietnamese as follows:

Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag

National Flag of Vietnamese

State Flag of Vietnamese

Military Flag of Vietnamese (in order of creation date)

Other Flag of Vietnamese

The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Vietnamese Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag

The National flag of Vietnamese should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another

The Vietnamese flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground

A tattered or faded flag of Vietnamese should be removed and replaced with a new flag

Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Vietnamese flag is always flown the correct way up

A Flag of Vietnamese, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect

Flag History & Evolution:

The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield

Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe

Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted

An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification

The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born

These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags

The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed

The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating anew flag

Terminology & Etiquette in Vietnamese Flag display

Hoist - the act or function of raising the Vietnamese flag, as on a rope

Half Staff or Half Mast - the Vietnamese flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning

Performed by first raising the Vietnamese flag to the top, then lowering the Vietnamese Flag halfway

Distress - denoted by flying the Vietnamese flag upside-down

Manner of hoisting - The Vietnamese flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously

No disrespect should be shown to the Vietnamese flag

The Vietnamese flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way

The Vietnamese flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature

The Vietnamese flag should be hoisted first and lowered last

International Flag relating to Vietnamese Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace

We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Vietnamese Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource

1959 The communist party starts military operations in the South and construction of the Ho Chi Minh trail begins

1961 Kennedy increases US military aid to South Vietnam

1973 US military withdraw

1975 Viet Cong troops enter Saigon

1976 The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is officially proclaimed

The Vietnamese Flag and Nation

We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Vietnamese Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun!